Back To The 80s-Chapter 212: The Decision_1

When they arrived at the guesthouse, Zhuang Shuxian was fixing Jiujiu’s hair. There was a soft sentimental connection flowing between them, making the bond between them seem very warm and harmonious.

They had dinner in the canteen. In winter, there were only white radishes and cabbages, but they did have cured meats. Lu Zhanguo ordered a stewed cured pork rib, stewed cabbage with vermicelli, fried radish, and, deep-fried peanuts.

The portions were large and were enough for the five of them. Jin Xueping seemed very excited and asked Lu Zhanguo, "Zhanguo, is there any liquor? Let’s get a bottle of strong liquor."

Lu Zhanguo instructed a soldier to bring a bottle of strong liquor and poured some for Jin Xueping and himself.

"The dishes aren’t here yet, let’s start with a drink." Jin Xueping downed his drink and said excitedly, "Today, you all don’t know how I feel. Since I lost my hometown, my heart has felt like it was under a huge stone. It was not living, but more like passing days. With Jiujiu around, I feel there’s something to look forward to again." He said with moist eyes.

Zhuang Shuxian wiped her tears, hugging Jiujiu, "Absolutely, the sudden arrival of this precious child to us is a blessing. It seems Heaven is not blinded. We, the Jin family, won’t be without descendants anymore."

"Dear uncle and aunt, now that Jiujiu is found, we should be happy. Let’s not cry and scare the child," Lu Zhanguo consoled.

The dishes arrived while they were talking. Jin Xueping gave a piece of meat to Jiujiu, and sighed, "Right, we have to move forward. Isn’t it so? Now that Jiujiu is with us, we, the old bones, need to live for a few more years and raise Jiujiu to be an adult."

Zhuang Shuxian kept serving Jiujiu with dishes. Gu Xiaobei watched as her heart softened. Finally, Jiujiu had rejoined the happiness she originally belonged to.

"Xiaobei, we plan to take Jiujiu back to the city for school this time." Zhuang Shuxian proposed.

After all, Gu Xiaobei had been taking care of Jiujiu for some time. And from her conversation with Jiujiu this afternoon, she could tell Jiujiu was quite reliant on Gu Xiaobei.

"That’s good, it’s a good thing. Jiujiu, what do you think?" Gu Xiaobei did feel reluctant, but Jiujiu’s return to her roots was both a big event and the right decision.

"I will go with Grandma. Grandma said that I could come to see you, Uncle, and Shitou whenever I’m free." Jiujiu replied earnestly. Grandma had told her in the afternoon that she was a child of the Jin family and should return to them. Also, staying in Aunt’s place would add more burdens, and once she grew up and started earning money, she only needed to honor her aunt.

"You’re such a good girl. When I go to the city, I’ll come and see you, okay?" Gu Xiaobei patted Jiujiu’s head, her heart suddenly aching from reluctance.

"Okay." In her reply, Jiujiu didn’t mention Chen Family as she always used to.

While they were eating, they also agreed that they would help Jiujiu with her school transfer the next day. Then, she would go back to the city with them because they need a local household registration for schooling in the city.

So they had to get Jiujiu registered as soon as possible, she was already starting school later than others, and they couldn’t delay it any further.

Gu Xiaobei initially thought about bringing Jiujiu back home for the night. But after consideration, coming back would unavoidably trigger sadness. It would also be harmful for Jiujiu, who is sensitive, to overthink. Also, they could see each other frequently in the future, so she didn’t suggest Jiujiu stay with her overnight.

Zhuang Shuxian was naturally happy to have Jiujiu with her all the time. She didn’t want to separate from Jiujiu for even a minute now.

When they were leaving, Lu Zhanguo tightly wrapped Gu Xiaobei with a scarf once again.

The winter night after the snow was very chilly. Even the cool air inhaled into the nostrils felt a bit stingingly cold.

Gu Xiaobei was glad that she had bought a large cotton-padded jacket when she was in the provincial city. It was really wise as she could layer lots of clothes underneath.

When she got home, Gu Xiaobei started to pack Jiujiu’s clothes. They had bought quite many clothes for the past few months. There was a large bag of them.

"I really miss her. Do you think our future daughter would be as obedient as well?" Gu Xiaobei asked Lu Zhanguo with some melancholy.

"Yes, she will be as lively as her mother," said Lu Zhanguo, who took awhile to find the right word, ’lively’, as Gu Xiaobei didn’t suit the word ’obedient’.

"Lively?" Gu Xiaobei hummed, shooting a look at Lu Zhanguo, "Is that a praise?"

Lu Zhanguo pinched Gu Xiaobei’s soft and smooth cheek and said, "Yes, and she will be as soft and adorable as her mother."

"Mmm, you should say more nice things in the future. Then the baby we will have will be very well-behaved." Gu Xiaobei cunningly tricked Lu Zhanguo with a sneaky grin.

"Alright, go and sleep now," said Lu Zhanguo with embarrassment. This girl was really pushing her luck.

Early the next morning, Gu Xiaobei accompanied Zhuang Shuxian, Jin Xueping, and Jiujiu to the school to complete the withdrawal procedure.

After they settled the procedure and were about to leave, Jiujiu turned around and saw Chen Gang standing teary-eyed at the school gate.

"Shitou," Jiujiu ran back and stood in front of Chen Gang, and called out with reluctance.

"Jiujiu, I came here to say goodbye," Chen Gang managed to utter these words after a long silence. He had a lot to say to Jiujiu: that she must listen to her grandparents, that she must study well, and that she must not forget him, Shitou. But when he saw Jiujiu, he couldn’t utter any of those words at all.

"Shitou, if you go to the city in the future, promise me you will come and see me." Jiujiu looked at Chen Gang reluctantly. This brother had done his utmost to protect her.

"Yes, I will," promised Chen Gang, nodding his head.

The jeep that came to pick up Jin Xueping arrived. Gu Xiaobei looked at teary Jiujiu, and didn’t feel well. She said while smiling, "Jiujiu, in a few days, we will come to the city to visit you. Don’t cry."

They watched the car drive away. Only then did Gu Xiaobei sniffle her nose and start wiping away her tears.

When Gu Xiaobei got home, she immediately felt her house empty. For the past few months, she had gotten used to Jiujiu’s presence.

Li Fengmei came over for a visit. Upon hearing about Jiujiu’s situation, she sighed, "It’s like in the theater. Who could have thought that Jiujiu would turn out to be the granddaughter of the mayor?"

"That’s fate," Gu Xiaobei sighed.

"Jiujiu’s hard days are over. But, Xiaobei, there has been no noise from next door recently. Do you know why?" Li Fengmei was gossiping about Xiangmin’s house.

"Why?" Gu Xiaobei had been busy with Jiujiu’s matters in the past two days and had neglected the movements next door. It seemed that she really couldn’t hear Ding Guihua’s loud voice anymore.

"Xiangmin’s mother-in-law fell ill. She said she had chest pains and has been lying down all day, requiring Xiangmin’s care. But Xiangmin refuses to do so and she also stays in her room. Her husband has been so busy lately, rushing between work and caring for the two women at home," Li Fengmei recounted what her husband had told her.

"Why did she suddenly fall ill? Did you go and see her?" Gu Xiaobei was puzzled about what Ding Guihua was up to.

"She stubbornly refuses to go to the hospital; insisting that she’s unwell due to her anger," said Li Fengmei, who felt that it was clear that Ding Guihua was faking it.

"Oh, that’s really interesting," Gu Xiaobei thought for a moment then guessed probably it was Ding Guihua could not get over the fact that Xiangmin had lost a child and was emotionally affected. After all, the older generation always wishes for many descendants, believing that they bring fortune.

This incident has indeed brought some peace to everyone.